Indianapolis
United States
Indianapolis is projected to face increasing challenges from frequent heatwaves as global temperatures rise. The city will likely experience prolonged extreme heat events, leading to heightened health risks, especially for vulnerable populations. These heatwaves can elevate rates of heat-related illnesses, straining healthcare systems and emergency services. Additionally, the urban heat island effect may intensify local temperatures, contributing to an overall increase in energy demand and potential power outages during peak usage times. As heat becomes more frequent, city infrastructure may struggle to cope with the rising temperatures, accentuating the importance of effective urban planning. Addressing these hazards will require significant attention to public health measures and resilience strategies to protect residents from the adverse impacts of climate change.
Hazard Outlook
How will Indianapolis's projected climate hazards compare to other cities under a 3.0°C future warming scenario?
Maximum Rainfall
Indianapolis's projected maximum rainfall of 12 mm is higher than most cities globally.
Maximum Temperature
Indianapolis's projected maximum temperature of 9.4°C is near the median of cities globally under a 3.0°C warming scenario.
Longest Heatwave
Indianapolis may experience heatwaves lasting up to 5 days, near the median of other cities.
Heavy Rainfall Days
With 10 days of heavy rainfall expected, Indianapolis ranks near the median of cities for extreme precipitation events.
Elevation
At 218 m elevation, Indianapolis faces moderate risk from coastal flooding and sea level rise.
Exposure Summary
Adaptation Priorities
Indianapolis faces elevated exposure to max rain. These areas may warrant priority attention in adaptation planning.
Data source: Climate projections from the IPCC AR6 scenario analysis. See our methodology for details on how we process and interpret this data.
Deployed Solutions
Deployed climate adaptation technologies identified in Indianapolis.
No solutions have been documented for Indianapolis.
This is an archived snapshot of the database.
Recommended Solutions
Proven solutions from similar cities that could help diversify Indianapolis's resilience portfolio
Heat Emergency Registry and Surveillance System
91%The St. Louis Department of Health utilizes a specialized database of residents who may require assistance during emergencies, combined with surveillance systems to monitor public safety during heat events.
Tulsa Ready Mobile Emergency Alert and Disaster Preparedness App
85%The Tulsa Area Emergency Management Agency launched the Tulsa Ready App for smartphones to create a more interactive public communications interface.
District Energy Systems and Microgrid Network
85%Pittsburgh has developed an extensive network of district energy systems and microgrids designed to modernize the city's aging electrical infrastructure with advanced clean energy technologies.
Resilient Community Hubs with Renewable Energy and Battery Backup
85%Several existing community and activity centers have been identified as desirable locations for the establishment of hardened neighborhood facilities to support residents in times of need before, during, and after hazardous weather events or disruptions in utility services.
Downscaled Regional Climate Modeling for Local Projections
91%The City of Austin's Office of Sustainability collaborated with ATMOS Research, led by Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, to develop geographically specific climate models for Austin through 2100 using the Camp Mabry Weather Station.
Citizen Science Mobile Heat Mapping with Vehicle-Mounted Sensors
90%With the help of the Museum of Science, volunteers attached temperature sensors to their cars and bikes to collect data in Boston, Cambridge and Brookline.